Atsu has long been on the radar for Spurs and Villas-Boas is well aware of the 21 year old's abilities, having handed the youngster his debut for the Portuguese side while the manager was in charge of the club in 2011.

And with Atsu entering into the final 12 months of his contract with Porto, a move away from the club this summer seems inevitable while Liverpool are also maintaining their interest in his services.

While Gareth Bale appeared set to stay at Tottenham at the beginning of the month, the winger has reportedly made it clear that he would relish in a move to suitors Real Madrid who have offered a world record fee for his signature.

Bale still has three years left on his contract with Spurs, but the winger is believed to have made clear to chairman Daniel Levy that he wants to leave north London this summer and fulfil a childhood dream of joining the Spanish giants.

This would leave Villas-Boas with a huge hole to fill, and Sky Sports claims that he sees Atsu as the man to replacement the Wales international.

A lack of firepower last season was seemingly one of the main reasons behind Tottenham's failure to secure a Champions League spot. Bale had to make up for the lack of goals from Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor and a striker was high on Villas-Boas' list come the summer to improve the depth of the squad.

Roberto Soldado looks to have filled that gap, but should Bale leave Villas-Boas will yet again need to suplement the club's goal threat.

And Atsu would certainly be a good prospect for a long-term replacement for the Tottenham star, and would be another transfer coup after Liverpool had a bid rejected for the star earlier in the summer.